Soundscape management is a priority for ADM Aéroports de Montréal who aims to mitigate the noise impacts of air operations and to maintain a harmonious cohabitation with neighbouring communities.
To implement a more effective management approach and champion best practices in this area, ADM developed in 2019 an action plan to optimize soundscape management and promote social acceptance of its activities.
The action plan was part of an online public consultation to collect comments from citizens of YUL Montréal-Trudeau's neighbouring communities regarding the plan.
Update – March 2024
Reducing flights outside operating hours is a priority for ADM and much attention is being paid to reduce operations during restricted hours.
Over the past two years, ADM has mainly worked on the development of new scenarios for operations during restricted hours based on certified noise levels instead of aircraft weight which is a flagship action of the action plan.
A project to modify criteria for operations during restricted hours was presented to the Soundscape Advisory Committee in December 2023 and a public consultation on this project will take place in 2024.
In order to inform citizens and gather their feedback, there will be an online consultation and ADM will hold an open house event at YUL Montréal-Trudeau on May 9. Details will be posted on the website and sent via the Soundscape Newsletter at a later date. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter.
The priorities of the action plan were reviewed in 2021, taking into account the results of the consultation held in 2020 as well as human and financial resource constraints in the context of the pandemic.
The 2019-2023 Soundscape Management Action Plan is composed of several actions in eight categories. Following is an update of each action.
1. COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT
Soundscape management around airports is governed in Canada by the Aeronautics Act and the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Transport Canada is the agency responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules for controlling and mitigating noise generated by air traffic and has the power to impose sanctions on pilots and carriers who contravene these rules.
Under its lease with Transport Canada, ADM is responsible for handling noise complaints, among others.
Even though the actions on complaints management are completed, ADM is continually working to improve the management of complaints.
2. NIGHTTIME OPERATIONS
YUL Montréal-Trudeau is open 24 hours a day for turboprops and jets weighing less than 45,000 kilograms. For jets over 45,000 kilograms, normal operating hours are from 7 a.m. to midnight for takeoffs and from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. for landings.
ADM may grant exemptions for medical emergencies, delays outside the carrier’s control, adverse weather conditions, and for some scheduled flights. A strict internal policy is applied in this regard. Exemptions are conditional on the application of existing noise reduction measures.
ADM has no intention of increasing the number of night flights. On the contrary, our goal is to reduce the number of flights during restricted operating hours.
ADM has worked on a project for new scenarios for operations during the restricted hours based on the acoustic certification level of aircraft instead of their weight. The project was presented to the Soundscape Advisory Committee members in December 2023 and will be part of a public consultation in the spring of 2024.
3. QUIETER FLEETS
ADM wants to encourage airlines to use the quietest aircraft to operate at YUL Montréal-Trudeau.
4. NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES
Air carriers and pilots are required to comply with noise abatement procedures in place at YUL Montréal-Trudeau airport in order to reduce noise generated by air traffic.
5. PREFERRED RUNWAYS
Although the number of aircraft movements has remained relatively stable over the past 15 years (except for the years of the pandemic), ADM is committed to reducing the impact of aircraft noise levels in order to maintain a harmonious coexistence with neighbouring communities. One of the solutions being considered is to look at landing and takeoff patterns to reduce the impact of noise levels on communities.
6. NOISE MEASUREMENTS AND REPORTS
ADM aims to be the primary source of reliable and credible information on the soundscape at YUL. ADM intends to communicate its noise level measurements and complaints management data to the public on a regular basis.
7. LAND USE
ADM wants to position itself as one of the stakeholders in the development around YUL Montréal-Trudeau. In constant contact with municipalities and boroughs, ADM informs local authorities, landowners, developers and the general public about airport activities and soundscape-related issues. ADM also discusses with municipalities and boroughs on actions that can be implemented to manage the soundscape.
8. COMMUNITY
ADM wants to be an active partner in its relationship with neighbouring communities. It is proposing various measures to ensure it listens to citizens and stakeholders and provides them with all the information related to soundscape management.
